Is August now the cruellest month?

John Baguley | 22 August 2012 | Blogs

Tagged with:
seasonal

We tend to avoid fundraising in August, and no I am not going to argue against that, but has anyone noticed how August is spreading into the surrounding months?

More importantly, we not only cease fundraising in the new three months long August but trustees and directors are ceasing to make decisions about new projects until… well, for as long as they can possibly put it off. This double-dip flounder into recession without end has eroded everyone’s bravery and not just their decision making but the very conceptualising of new ideas and projects.

Talking to our clients, charitable trusts and major donors on a regular basis I have seen a clear indication that not only are the great projects just not being launched in the way there were, but the level of imagination has also shrunk alarmingly to the point where available funding is not being tapped effectively.

Great Fundraising Organizations, by Alan Clayton. Buy now.

Let’s not forget that yes, there are many more applications being made than ever before and many more rich people being asked to give, but the professionalism of much of this fundraising is awfully amateur and it earns no respect from the potential donors.

John Baguley
www.internationalfundraisingconsultancy.com